Family to keep looking after police call off search for fisherman

THE family of a missing spear fisherman have vowed to keep searching for the 26-year-old despite police calling their efforts off.

The partner of missing spear fisherman Torrance Sambo says she was “puzzled” by the police statement, which reported family were consulted before calling the search off.

Jasmine Brown, who shares two young children with Mr Sambo, said the search for her partner would “never be over” and the police statement issued at midday on Tuesday was “misleading”.

“We don’t know which family members they consulted,” Ms Brown, who lives with Mr Sambo’s mother, said.

Queensland police have been contacted for confirmation on which of Mr Sambo’s family members were consulted.

“We’re still hoping for the best – the plan is to just search and search,” Ms Brown said.

“(All the family members) are still hopeful, some sadness of course, but they will never give up.

“Our search isn’t over, and will never be over.”

Ms Brown said she thanked the Far Northern community for its support and help and asked “everyone just keep praying for ‘Torry’.”

The search, in good weather near Sudbury Reef, was called off by police on Tuesday afternoon. The search had been launched after the Edmonton man never returned to his boat on Saturday afternoon.

Queensland police Senior Sergeant Matt Cornish said that search vessels conducted an extensive search covering more than 135sq km.

“Obviously as time goes on, the chance of survivability decreases dramatically,” he said.

“Police made the decision to suspend the search and rescue mission for this man.

“The decision was made by the State Search and Rescue Co-ordinator along with police officers, medical experts and the family as well.”

Sergeant Cornish said an investigation into the disappearance would consider the possibility that Mr Sambo could have been taken by a shark.

“They have not ruled that out at this stage and they will be looking at any piece of evidence available to find out what happened to this man, to be able to give family and friends closure,” he said.

Items including flippers found on the ocean floor have been identified as possessions belonging to Mr Sambo.